Traffic stop leads to drug, gun arrest

Traffic stop leads to drug, gun arrest

What began as a traffic stop on a vehicle that allegedly failed to stop at a stop sign on the north side of Pine Bluff Tuesday resulted in the arrest of a man on drug and weapons allegations.

Kendrell Patterson, 27, allegedly said that the suspected drugs and a gun found in the vehicle he was driving were his, Detective Jason Howard said in a probable cause affidavit presented in district court Thursday.

Deputy Prosecutor Carol Billings said Howard and Detective Michael Battles were at L.A. “Prexy” Davis Drive and Bell Street when they saw a blue Buick fail to stop at a stop sign. The detectives pulled over the Buick.

Howard said in the affidavit he asked Patterson for his driver’s license, registration and proof of insurance and Patterson said he did not have a driver’s license. Howard also reported smelling suspected marijuana in the vehicle.

Billings said a record check showed that there were three active warrants for Patterson and he was placed under arrest.

Howard said in the affidavit the officers found a gallon-size bag containing suspected marijuana between the seats of the vehicle and a silver .380-caliber handgun.

A pill bottle containing two plastic bags — one with suspected marijuana and the second containing a white pill — were found under the passenger seat.

Billings said Patterson told the detectives “the weed and gun are all mine.”

Howard said in the affidavit the suspected marijuana weighed 3.88 ounces and the white pill was determined to be Xanax.

At Billings’ request, Pine Bluff District Judge John Kearney set a $50,000 cash-only bond for Patterson after ruling prosecutors had probable cause to charge him with possession of a controlled substance with purpose to deliver, possession of a controlled substance and simultaneous possession of drugs and firearms.

Billings asked for the cash bond because an alias warrant had also been issued for Patterson after he failed to appear for trial on drug and gun charges stemming from an arrest in 2012.